Cruising Friends Off-shore, On-shore or Ashore

Passage Revelation:  You can't have too many friends.`

Lessons Learned:  To have a friend you have to be a friend.

 

You meet friends in many places while cruising (off-shore, on-shore and ashore).  Sometimes you give them a boat card and then never see them again.  You collect so many boat cards after years of cruising you don't know what to do with them.  I can never get rid of a boat card.  Boat cards are designed so many ways.  I like the ones that have the person's picture on it so I can remember them.  For me it's better than the boat's name.  I keep them and look at them every once and a while and wonder where the cruisers are now.  Are they safe?  Have they stopped cruising?  Are they land lovers?  What part of the country did they settle down or did they just go back home?

Sometimes, I keep up with fellow cruisers through social media.  This is a wonderful way to see other parts of the world through their pictures and adventures.  Their pictures show how happy the cruisers are in their cruising location.  Some of our friends have traveled around the world and are traveling around the world; crossing oceans and touring Europe and the far east.  These cruisers have another gene that causes them to follow in Columbus footsteps.  They have no fear  with adventures on the high seas. 

When you stay long enough at one location you often find cruisers who you can buddy boat.  These people may end up being your life long friends.  You protect them in any cruising situation and visa versa.  You may end up helping them fix their boat when needed and them yours.  Afterwards, you can have a drink of brew and laugh about the moments of terror and joy.

These friends will always be in your heart forever.  Life moves on and cruisers move ashore to be with family; mostly grandchildren who have won their hearts.  These little guys need guidance and cruisers have a wealth of knowledge that can serve them well.

Whether off-shore, on-shore or ashore always treasure your friendships.